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Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

Designation: National Monument & Preserve

Location: Idaho

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

🌤 Weather Information

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170°F and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.

🚗 Directions

Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.

Images

A close-up shot of a folded, waving sea of lava rock, with mountains in the far distance.

Craters of the Moon features the largest young lava field in the lower 48 states, encompassing the entire Great Rift volcanic zone.

Credit: NPS / David Hunter

Small purple flowers and larger white flowers with reddish stems grow out of black volcanic rock

Spectacular floral displays occur at Craters each spring, including this dwarf monkeyflower and bitterroot.

Credit: NPS / David Hunter

The Craters entrance sign sits below a starry night sky, with the milky way brightly-lit.

Craters of the Moon was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, making it one of the best places in the country to stargaze.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A figure stands inside a large lava tube on a pile of rubble, lit by a round opening overhead.

Many visitors come to Craters to explore its unique and fragile lava tubes.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A paved trail winds up around the side of a spatter cone.

Trails at Craters, like the Spatter Cone Trail, allow visitors to explore young volcanic features like spatter cones, cinder cones, and lava fields.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A panoramic view across the Craters landscape, bisected by a winding road.

Craters of the Moon features unexpectedly stunning views, such as this panoramic vista from the top of Inferno Cone.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.
$20.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
$25.00
Entrance - Per Person
This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free.
$10.00
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
Classes or groups from accredited academic institutions may apply for a fee waiver ahead of their visit by contacting the park. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the two criteria to receive a fee waiver: 1) eligibility and 2) educational purpose and relevance of park resources or facilities. Groups that choose to not make a reservation or apply for an academic fee waiver will be charged the standard entrance fee per vehicle.
$0.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
$100.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.
$40.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Annual entrance pass for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. This pass can be purchased at the park entrance station.
$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Feb 9

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 42.6°F | Low: 27.1°F

Humidity: 68%

Wind: 21 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.5

Sunrise: 07:40 AM

Sunset: 05:56 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (55%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 28.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Feb 10

Overcast

Overcast

High: 36°F | Low: 24.6°F

Humidity: 72%

Wind: 5.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.4

Sunrise: 07:39 AM

Sunset: 05:57 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (46%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 23.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Feb 11

Moderate snow

Moderate snow

High: 37.2°F | Low: 20.6°F

Humidity: 92%

Wind: 6.5 mph

Rain Chance: 83%

UV Index: 0.3

Sunrise: 07:37 AM

Sunset: 05:58 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (36%)

Visibility: 3 mi

Dew Point: 28°F

Cloud Cover: 83%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Loop Road Closure Park Closure
The Loop Road is currently closed to vehicles and will reopen spring 2026 when weather permits. The road is open to walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as weather permits. Please plan accordingly.
All Lava Tube Caves Closed Due to Hazardous Conditions Park Closure
All lava tube caves are CLOSED due to snow and ice. Entry to caves is prohibited.

More Info

Navigation Caution
Please do not rely upon GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Craters of the Moon. Please note that the Visitor Center at 1266 Craters Loop Road is located just off U.S. Highway 20/26/93 and is not accessed via any unpaved roads.

More Info

Restrooms and Water Not Available at Visitor Center Park Closure
Due to construction, the Visitor Center Restrooms and water fountains are currently unavailable. Temporary restroom facilities (not wheelchair accessible*) are located to the South East of the visitor center, by the flagpole near the parking lot. Please bring plenty of water for yourself and your group. *Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located 1/4 mi down the fully accessible Centennial trail at the entrance to the Lava Flow Campground.
Navigation Caution
Please do not rely upon GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Craters of the Moon. Please note that the Visitor Center at 1266 Craters Loop Road is located just off U.S. Highway 20/26/93 and is not accessed via any unpaved roads.

More Info

Visitor Center Phones Down Park Closure
The visitor center can make outgoing calls, but we cannot receive incoming calls, and our voicemail is not working properly. Email CRMO_Information@nps.gov with questions. We will delete this alert once the issue is resolved.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
Craters of the Moon National Monument
1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID 83213

🏤 Mailing Address:
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
1266 Craters Loop Road
Arco, ID 83213

📞 Voice Phone: 2085271300

📞 Fax Phone: 2085273073

✉️ Email: crmo_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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